No Result
View All Result
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES
  • Login
Friday, October 31, 2025
TheAdviserMagazine.com
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
No Result
View All Result
TheAdviserMagazine.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Market Research Economy

The Importance of Foreign Literature

by TheAdviserMagazine
4 months ago
in Economy
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
The Importance of Foreign Literature
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LInkedIn


My winter read this year was Natsume Sōseki’s 1906 satirical novel I am a Cat (original title: Wagahai wa Neko de Aru).  The novel is told from the perspective of an unnamed cat and contains vignettes of its observations of its master Mr Sneaze (Sōseki’s conception of himself), Mrs Sneaze (his wife), and several of Mr Sneaze’s companions: Waverhouse, Coldmoon, Beauchamp, and Singleman in Meiji Era Japan.  This post is not meant to be an in-depth analysis of the themes of the novel; this is neither the time nor place for it.  Rather, I wish to highlight some elements I found intriguing and how they relate to the modern American world.

But first, a little background:

The Meiji Era was one of turbulence in Japan.  In February 1867, Prince Mutshito ascended to the throne and became emperor of Japan.  For more than two centuries, Japan’s emperor was a nominal title; in reality, the country was ruled by the shōgun and some 300 feudal lords known as daimyo, a period known as the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868).  However, after Commodore Matthew Perry forcibly opened Japan to trade in 1853, Western influences began to enter this isolated culture, putting pressure on the shōgun to modernize.  Eventually, the pressure became too much; on November 9, 1867, shōgun Tokugawa Toshinobu resigned. A new government was formed under Emperor Mutshito (posthumously known as Emperor Meiji) on January 3, 1868. 

Mutshito ushered in many reforms such as abolishing class privileges, creating an elected advisory body called the Diet (the Diet was based on British Parliament, but had little true power—the Emperor had final say in everything), further opening to international trade, and so on.  Furthermore, Japan had just won a decisive victory over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War, spurring national pride among the Japanese.  The Meiji Era had rapid social, cultural, political, and economic changes.

It is during this turbulence that I Am A Cat was written.  And, among the different characters (and even the cat itself), we see anxieties, hopes, and concerns.  This is especially true in Volume III, which contains many interesting discussions.  For example, at one point in observing what we now call the “principal-agent problem,” the cat observes:

Similarly, public officials are servants of the people and can reasonably be regarded as agents to whom the people have entrusted certain powers to be exercised on the people’s behalf in the running of public affairs.  But as these officials grow accustomed to their daily control of affairs, they begin to acquire delusions of grandeur, act as though the authority they exercise was in fact their own and treat the people as though the people had no say in the matter (pg 361 of the Kindle Edition).

Other times, in a paragraph that sounds a lot like Adam Smith’s parable of the poor man’s son, they worry about how commercial values (what is called “modern man”) could affect people’s characters, as demonstrated by Mr. Sneaze:

Modern man, even in his deepest slumber, never stops thinking about what will bring him profit, or even more worrying, loss…Modern man is jittery and sneaky.  Morning, noon, and night he sneaks and jitters and knows no peace.  Not one single moment’s peace until the cold gave takes him.  That’s the condition to which our so-called civilization has brought us.  And what a mess it is (pg 440).  

(Note the loss-aversion in this concern, too.)

Changing social powers (as observed by Singelman):

“There, you see how times have changed.  Not so long ago the power of those in authority was unlimited.  Then came a time when there were certain things which even they could not demand.  But nowadays there are strict limits upon the power of peers and even ministers to compel the individual…Our fathers would be astonished to see how things which the authorities clearly want done, and have ordered should be done, nevertheless remain undone (pg 450).”

And, again channelling Adam Smith, the duality of man to both want freedom and to dominate:

Obviously, each individual grew a little stronger by reason of this new individuality.  But, of course, precisely because everyone had grown stronger, everyone had also grown weaker than their fellow-individuals…Everyone, naturally, likes to be strong, and no one, naturally, likes to be weak (pg 452).

I could quote this book at length, but I have already gone on too long and not gotten to my point.

The point I have is that, in reading foreign literature (and interacting with foreign culture more broadly), we see the universality of humanity.  We have the same concerns.  We have the same pleasures.  We have the same goals in life.  True, arbitrary lines and languages separate us.  Geography can influence culture and so on.  But it is not, as the nationalists frequently argue, that we are just too different to interact.  Foreign interactions help us see our common humanity.  This, in turn, helps us sympathize with foreigners and break down the so-called “friend-enemy distinction.”  



Source link

Tags: ForeignImportanceLiterature
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

The AI Chip Boom Is Real. Should You Position Your Portfolio for a Tech Rally?

Next Post

Waiting for a Mortgage Break? Fannie Mae’s Prediction May Disappoint

Related Posts

edit post
Market Talk – October 30, 2025

Market Talk – October 30, 2025

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 30, 2025
0

ASIA: The major Asian stock markets had a mixed day today: • NIKKEI 225 increased 17.96 points or 0.04% to...

edit post
Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs on China to 10% as Beijing delays rare earth curbs

Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs on China to 10% as Beijing delays rare earth curbs

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 30, 2025
0

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA - OCTOBER 30: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a bilateral...

edit post
Sudan War: Gold, a Key Port, and Two Armies With No Legitimate Claim

Sudan War: Gold, a Key Port, and Two Armies With No Legitimate Claim

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 30, 2025
0

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of Sudan’s warring parties, have taken over El Fasher, a city in Darfur, western...

edit post
By All Means, Elect Mamdani and Watch His Socialist Laboratory at Work

By All Means, Elect Mamdani and Watch His Socialist Laboratory at Work

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 30, 2025
0

Next week, New York City voters almost surely will send self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani to Gracie Mansion, and he promises...

edit post
The Tragedy of Expatriation: Europe’s Lost Future

The Tragedy of Expatriation: Europe’s Lost Future

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 30, 2025
0

A recent survey has caused quite a stir in France, highlighting a new reality facing a changing Europe: the brain...

edit post
It Should Pay to be Super

It Should Pay to be Super

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 30, 2025
0

I’ve had a difficult time watching superhero movies the past few years. Not because they lack quality (though perhaps true),...

Next Post
edit post
Waiting for a Mortgage Break? Fannie Mae’s Prediction May Disappoint

Waiting for a Mortgage Break? Fannie Mae’s Prediction May Disappoint

edit post
The Future of Crypto Security: Why True Self-Custody Is Essential – Insights from Andrey Lazutkin, CTO of Tangem

The Future of Crypto Security: Why True Self-Custody Is Essential – Insights from Andrey Lazutkin, CTO of Tangem

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
edit post
77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

October 18, 2025
edit post
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

October 7, 2025
edit post
What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

October 8, 2025
edit post
Another Violent Outburst – Democrats Inciting Civil Unrest

Another Violent Outburst – Democrats Inciting Civil Unrest

October 24, 2025
edit post
Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

October 17, 2025
edit post
California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In 2M Ponzi Scheme

California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In $912M Ponzi Scheme

October 15, 2025
edit post
The 2026 Social Security Bump Will Cost Some Retirees. Are Your Benefits at Risk of Taxation?

The 2026 Social Security Bump Will Cost Some Retirees. Are Your Benefits at Risk of Taxation?

0
edit post
Meat and Potato Crust Quiche with Flax Muffins ( Family Dinner Idea)

Meat and Potato Crust Quiche with Flax Muffins ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

0
edit post
Clerq Raises M to Capture Share of T High-Ticket Payment Market – AlleyWatch

Clerq Raises $12M to Capture Share of $3T High-Ticket Payment Market – AlleyWatch

0
edit post
Global Trends and Growth Outlook

Global Trends and Growth Outlook

0
edit post
Six missing AI capabilities holding financial advisors back

Six missing AI capabilities holding financial advisors back

0
edit post
Getting Started: Inventory Types and Conditions

Getting Started: Inventory Types and Conditions

0
edit post
Getting Started: Inventory Types and Conditions

Getting Started: Inventory Types and Conditions

October 31, 2025
edit post
Biogen outlines 67% launch product growth and signals expanded pipeline momentum amid strong Q3 results (NASDAQ:BIIB)

Biogen outlines 67% launch product growth and signals expanded pipeline momentum amid strong Q3 results (NASDAQ:BIIB)

October 30, 2025
edit post
Asian shares rise: Asian shares, US futures rise on tech results, gold holds gain

Asian shares rise: Asian shares, US futures rise on tech results, gold holds gain

October 30, 2025
edit post
XRP Could Drive the ‘Biggest Economic Shift’ in Decades: Crypto Expert

XRP Could Drive the ‘Biggest Economic Shift’ in Decades: Crypto Expert

October 30, 2025
edit post
Commonwealth advisors leave for Cetera, Osaic, Raymond James

Commonwealth advisors leave for Cetera, Osaic, Raymond James

October 30, 2025
edit post
8 Medigap “Gaps” You Only Notice After a Hospital Transfer

8 Medigap “Gaps” You Only Notice After a Hospital Transfer

October 30, 2025
The Adviser Magazine

The first and only national digital and print magazine that connects individuals, families, and businesses to Fee-Only financial advisers, accountants, attorneys and college guidance counselors.

CATEGORIES

  • 401k Plans
  • Business
  • College
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Economy
  • Estate Plans
  • Financial Planning
  • Investing
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Legal
  • Market Analysis
  • Markets
  • Medicare
  • Money
  • Personal Finance
  • Social Security
  • Startups
  • Stock Market
  • Trading

LATEST UPDATES

  • Getting Started: Inventory Types and Conditions
  • Biogen outlines 67% launch product growth and signals expanded pipeline momentum amid strong Q3 results (NASDAQ:BIIB)
  • Asian shares rise: Asian shares, US futures rise on tech results, gold holds gain
  • Our Great Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use, Legal Notices & Disclosures
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.